Karla Villegas Gama

IGPM (Impulsando al Golf Profesional Mexicano) is a Mexican non-profit association that helps Mexican female golfers in their quest to qualify for the professional tours.

To make it happen IGPM has held a ProAm to raise funds since 2007. Today they celebrated the eighth edition with the help of some very special guests, for starters, Lorena Ochoa.

Mexico’s sweetheart and former world No. 1 remembered that this has been a dream come true for many golfers who come out of college with no economic support.

"I love to participate. It's really cool to have men and women united for the same goal: helping them reach the LPGA and the Epson Tour."

Ochoa managed to get one of her closest friends to attend: Natalie Gulbis.

“It was very exciting to come and hang out with the Mexican professional golfers. But moreover, to help them accomplish their dreams. I thank everyone for your warm welcome," said Gulbis.

But Nat-Nat wasn’t the only LPGA Tour member playing at Club Campestre de la Ciudad de México.

Mariajo Uribe, Paola Moreno and Paz Echeverría also joined, mainly because the ProAm has grown fond in their hearts.

“This association has a great project and it can be used in other countries. Every time we play with IGPM we asked them how they make it happen. I’d love to have something like this in Colombia. Beyond the economic factor, I love what some retired professionals, like Violeta (Retamoza) and Lorena (Ochoa) do for the newcomers. I know it’s just one day out of 365 but if it can make the difference for someone who needs it, then it’s worth it,” acknowledged Uribe.

Friendship has been key for this event. Echeverría also wants to keep supporting these golfers in every way she cans.

“Some of my dearest friends on tour are Mexican. If I can help them to make their dreams come true I will keep coming. This is my third time here, not only it is a great way to practice before the season starts, we can also share good moments with these players and see firsthand the titanic job IGPM does.”

Llaneza, who is currently the only Mexican in the LPGA, knows that this has been quite a boost in her career.

“It is fantastic (what they do for us). I always tell other tour members about IGPM and they just can’t believe it. A lot of them would love to have someone help them with entry fees and bookings the way IGPM does for us. I’m very grateful to all of our LPGA friends who came and helped us raise funds. I’m sure they’ll take a thing or two of what we do here and use it in their own countries to make golf bigger in Latin America.”

Some Web.com and PGA Tour Latinamérica players also made an appearance: Oscar Álvarez, Roberto Díaz, José de Jesús Rodr los exfutbolistas tes Armando Favela, Paola Moreno y Jose de Jesíguez, Sebastián Vázquez, to name a few.

LPGA - Epson Tour players join to help Mexican professional golfers

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